| Far from the perceived glitz and glamour of Hollywood, | | | | Hollywood is legendary, and competes for space only |
| LA has so much else to offer. | | | | with the Middle Eastern food, centered there and in |
| There's so much more than Rodeo Drive and the | | | | Westwood, which includes some of the best and most |
| Sunset Strip to this vast city. Among these is the | | | | authentic Persian food in the world. Westwood is also |
| burgeoning art scene in Chinatown. Here, each Friday | | | | home to excellent Lebanese food. Los Angeles' |
| small clubs operate slightly under-the radar, serving | | | | Mexican food does not need to be spoken for, but for |
| drinks to a young, hip crowd that can't be bothered to | | | | family type restaurants, mainly in the tradition of the |
| make it to the Westside. As the eastside has gotten | | | | Jalisco region, try East Los Angeles proper. There are |
| cooler, the art scene has re-centered itself, allowing a | | | | many informal eateries throughout the city, but perhaps |
| distinct and legitimate encampment on Chinatown's | | | | the best Mexican food can be found in Allegria, on |
| Chungking Road. Gallery openings are roughly every | | | | Sunset Blvd. in the Silverlake region. The line is |
| two weeks and offer the opportunity for public drinking | | | | formidable, but well worth it. |
| - something you might expect at an art gallery, though | | | | The final aspect of less-seen Los Angeles is the |
| not necessarily in LA. Check the web for exact dates, | | | | beach. For the best beach one must venture where |
| but they are usually Thursdays or Saturdays during the | | | | others are effectively dissuaded from going, the final |
| summer. | | | | frontier: Malibu. Though residents are hostile to tourists, |
| Another fun thing to do in Los Angeles that is easy to | | | | California law guarantees public access to the 27 miles |
| miss is hiking. You can hike through lovely wildlife but | | | | of beautiful coastline that are part of this wealthy and |
| see a view of a vast urban space at the top. A | | | | insular city. Signs saying "coastal access" highlight |
| wonderful view of the city is available from Griffith | | | | spots of entrance, which may look like nothing, but, |
| Park, and the pay off is much higher if you simply park | | | | after descending many stairs, you will generally come |
| in the neighboring Los Feliz hills and climb to a peak, | | | | upon a beautiful and nearly abandoned beach. To find |
| avoiding the delays, bother and polluting of following the | | | | these beaches, simply drive up the coast highway past |
| line of cars to park at the observatory. Other fun hikes | | | | the Cross Creek mall, where you can stop for a |
| include Will Rogers State Park in Pacific Palisades, | | | | coffee and likely see a celebrity, but persevere until it |
| Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills and Fryman | | | | seems you must be part way to San Francisco. Until |
| Canyon in Studio City. For more intriguing culinary fare, | | | | the signs say "Entering Camarillo," you are still in Malibu |
| Los Angeles offers distinct ethnic food at quite low | | | | and near discovering some of the most beautiful |
| prices in less touristy areas. The Thai cuisine in East | | | | beaches in the world. |